Before I start this story, please know that it is not a good idea to approach wild dogs or coax them to become familiar with humans. This could potentially lead to threatening behaviour if they get too bold and used to us. Authority warnings and info
here.
Today's walk into deeper parts of Namadgi led me to some dingo (managed as wild dogs) territory. The Dingoes up there have apparently been interbreeding over the years from time to time with domestic dogs, which affects their colours and markings.
A good friend of mine who is in the know gave me some great intelligence on where to find the wild dogs. I left early this morning and made my way into the valley after a fresh dump of snow on the peaks last night. As I crossed the grassy plains, I got rain, sleet, sunshine, wind snow and soggy boots! I thought I could be in Melbourne...
This trip was specifically to look for the Dingoes so I was prayin' hard for just on dear Lord! Just one and I'll be happy! He gave me three! The first one paralleled me for some time before it realised I was there and suddenly stopped to look at me. After a few brief moments exchanging stares, it took off to the top of a nearby knoll and started bark-howling at me for a few minutes. I was one happy photographer!
I followed a creek and crossed a fair amount of grassy swampland for about three and a half kilometers before crossing the creek on the steep side and walking back. About a kilometer back, I decided to prop in the middle of the low-lying grass land and camouflage myself for a bit of a stake-out below the dens. I was rewarded withing minutes with not one, but two wild dogs. One walked toward me to investigate. I used my lens to zoom in as far as I could to get some shots of it before it spooked and bolted back up the hill into the bush. The other one about 200 metres to my right was already running up the hill with something in it's mouth. Unfortunately I didn't get a shot of that one.
I had noticed a few bones around belonging to kangaroos and upon inspection, there were quite a few with gnaw-marks in them. I also came across a very healthy pile of scat next to a rancid kangaroo skin.The scat had a few beetles in it, along with some textured seed and plenty of fur. Looks like they are well fed dogs.
All up, a very exciting and productive day! Praise God! Now to buy a bigger lens!
